within two weeks.
After harvest, store properly. You should try and consume your kale harvest within two weeks of cutting your leaves off the plant. To store properly, follow the following steps: Wash all harvested leaves thoroughly with cold water (hot/warm water will make them wilt!), being sure to remove any debris.
How do you keep kale fresh after harvesting?
Wrap the bunch of kale in a layer of paper towels, and store in a supermarket plastic bag or a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. The kale should be in great shape for a week.
How long can you leave kale in the garden?
Kale will grow for up to 2 years in your garden. The first year of growth gives you plenty of delicious leaves. In the second year, your plants will focus on producing seeds. Grow your kale as annuals if you just want leaves from your plants.
What to do with kale after you pick it?
So, let’s explore how to use kale in the kitchen:
- Kale chips– This healthy alternative to potato chips is simply addictive.
- Salads– Certainly the most traditional use of leafy greens is in salads.
- Soup– Add chopped kale to your favorite vegetable, potato, or bean soup recipe.
Should kale be stored wet or dry?
Dry as much as you can: Lay a clean kitchen towel or a couple of sheets of paper towels out on the kitchen counter. Scatter the leaves in a single layer, top with another clean towel, and roll like a jelly roll. Lightly press down so the towels absorb the liquid, then unroll.
Should you wash kale before storing?
To store kale in the refrigerator:
Wash the kale by adding the kale leaves to a bowl of clean cold water and swish it around a little bit. Let it site for 10-15 minutes to remove any dirt of grit. You will then want to drain the kale from the water and remove any excess moisture by running it through a salad spinner.
Does kale come back every year?
Although kale is normally grown as an annual plant, it is actually a biennial, which means it has a two-year life cycle. In its first growing season, your kale plant will produce lots of leafy green foliage. In USDA hardiness zones 7 through 10, it will keep producing new leaves throughout the winter.
Will kale grow back after cutting?
But if you do accidentally cut off the growing tip, yes, kale will usually grow back with some side shoots. However, it will take much longer for the plant to recover before growth starts speeding up again. And sometimes it won’t grow back.
How long will kale plants produce?
2-year
A biennial (2-year) plant, kale produces leaves in the first year, and then, in the next year (or sometimes late in the first year), it will form a flower stalk. The stalk forms flowers and then seeds. Once the seeds mature, the plant dies.
How many times can you harvest kale?
After the first harvest, you can come back for more when the leaves have grown to about the size of an adult hand. Depending on your growing zone and the time of year, you can gather new greens every one to two weeks.
What can I do with excess kale from my garden?
Freezing kale is another easy way to preserve your extra kale leaves. I like to freeze my kale in 1/2 cup portions that can be quickly and easily added to soups, stews, quiches, and so much more.
When should you eat kale from the garden?
Before you begin, you’ll need to make sure that your kale plant is ready to harvest. You’ll know when it’s ready when it’s about 12 inches tall and the leaves are the size of your hand or bigger. Leaves that are the size of your palm are younger and more tender whereas the bigger leaves will be older and a bit tougher.
How do you store kale long term?
When you’re storing fresh kale, reduce excess moisture by waiting to rinse the leaves until you’re ready to eat them. You can store fresh kale that hasn’t been cut by wrapping the leaves in a paper towel, placing them in a plastic bag like Glad® FLEX’N SEAL™ Gallon Bags and squeezing out any extra air before sealing.
What is the best way to preserve kale?
Store Whole Bunches In the Fridge
To avoid excess moisture, wrap the whole bunch of kale in a layer of paper towels, and store in a supermarket plastic bag or a zip-top plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper drawer. The kale should keep for 1 week.
How do you know when kale is bad?
Signs that your kale is no longer safe to eat include:
- Black specks on the foliage.
- Black, white, or rust-colored spots, which may signal a fungal infection.
- Wilted, soggy, and/or slimy texture.
- An unpleasant, sulfur-like smell.
Does freezing Kale destroy nutrients?
In fact, freezing kale preserves its nutrients. It is loaded with just as many vitamins and minerals as the fresh stuff!
Can you freeze kale raw?
You can freeze kale without blanching, but plan to use it within four to six weeks. Unblanched kale may develop a bitter flavor because you haven’t stopped the action of the naturally-occurring ripening enzymes in the leaves.
Do you eat kale stems?
You might not want to toss kale stems right into your salad bowl, but that doesn’t mean they don’t belong. Add more heft to your lunch by slicing the stems thinly—or even shaving them on a mandoline. Toss them in after massaging the greens for a crisp, fresh crunch.
Does kale last through winter?
Certain crops such as broccoli, cabbage, claytonia, kale, and spinach can easily survive through the winter without any protection. Other crops like arugula, leeks and lettuce often die when unprotected during periods of extreme winter cold.
Is bolted kale OK to eat?
Both the flowerheads and the unopened buds are quite tasty. Harvest and eat up all the young leaves while you can and make the most out of your kale plant even though it has started bolting. You might even decide that you like eating the flowerheads more than regular kale leaves.
Should I let my kale flower?
Those tiny flower buds that appear on your kale plants at the end of the season don’t necessarily mean the end of your crop. In fact, just the opposite: the florets are a bonus harvest you can eat, and they turn even sweeter if you’ve had frost.